7 Best ZIP Programs for Windows, Mac & Linux (Free & Paid, 2026)

Why You Need a Dedicated ZIP Program

Your operating system comes with basic ZIP support, but it's severely limited. Windows Explorer and macOS Archive Utility can create and extract ZIP files, but that's about it. They can't handle RAR, 7Z, TAR, or dozens of other archive formats. They offer no compression level controls, no encryption options, and no batch processing.

A dedicated ZIP program solves all these problems. You get better compression ratios (smaller files), password protection with strong encryption, support for every archive format you'll encounter, and the ability to split large archives across multiple files. If you regularly work with compressed files, the right tool saves hours of frustration.

Let's look at the seven best options across Windows, Mac, and Linux.

7-Zip: The Gold Standard for Windows (Free)

Platform: Windows License: Free and open source (LGPL) Download: https://7-zip.org

7-Zip is the undisputed champion for Windows users. This free, open-source program has been around since 1999 and remains the best balance of features, performance, and simplicity. It creates its own 7Z format, which typically achieves 30-70% better compression than standard ZIP files.

Key Features

• Supports 7Z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, WIM, and dozens more formats
• Can extract RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, MSI, NSIS, and more
• AES-256 encryption for 7Z and ZIP archives
• Self-extracting archives (EXE files that unpack themselves)
• Command-line version for scripting and automation
• Context menu integration in Windows Explorer
• Built-in file manager with dual-pane interface

Pros

• Completely free with no ads or nag screens
• Best compression ratios, especially with 7Z format
• Lightweight and fast
• Regular updates and active development
• No spyware or bundled software

Cons

• Interface looks dated (functional but not modern)
• No native support for RAR5 compression (can only extract)
• Windows-only (no official Mac or Linux versions)

Best For

Windows users who want the best compression without spending money. If you only install one archive tool on Windows, make it 7-Zip.

WinRAR: The Classic Trialware (Windows)

Platform: Windows License: Paid ($29 lifetime, 40-day trial) Download: https://www.win-rar.com

WinRAR has been the commercial alternative to 7-Zip since 1995. It's famous for its infinite "trial period" that never actually expires, though you'll see nag screens asking you to purchase. If you need to create RAR archives (not just extract them), WinRAR is your only official option on Windows.

Key Features

• Full RAR and RAR5 format support (compression and extraction)
• Supports ZIP, 7Z, TAR, GZIP, and other formats
• Recovery records to repair damaged archives
• Compression profiles for different file types
• Context menu integration
• Multi-volume archives (splitting large files)
• AES-256 encryption

Pros

• Industry-standard RAR format support
• Very polished interface
• Excellent documentation
• Recovery features for corrupted archives
• Works on extremely old Windows versions

Cons

• Costs $29 (though trial never expires)
• RAR compression is slower than 7Z
• Doesn't offer better compression than 7-Zip for most files
• Contains some dated UI elements

Best For

Users who frequently receive RAR files and want the official tool, or businesses that need proper licensing. For personal use, the free trial works indefinitely.

PeaZip: Cross-Platform Open Source

Platform: Windows, Linux License: Free and open source (LGPL) Download: https://peazip.github.io

PeaZip is a modern, feature-rich alternative that works on both Windows and Linux. It combines the compression engines from 7-Zip with a more user-friendly interface and adds security features like secure deletion and two-factor authentication for archives.

Key Features

• Supports over 200 archive formats
• Dual-pane file manager interface
• Strong encryption with multiple algorithms (AES-256, Twofish, Serpent)
• Two-factor authentication for archives
• Secure file deletion (overwrites data before deletion)
• Portable version requires no installation
• Batch operations for multiple archives
• File hashing and checksum verification

Pros

• More modern interface than 7-Zip
• Excellent security features
• Works on Linux and Windows
• Completely free and open source
• Regular updates

Cons

• Slightly slower compression than 7-Zip
• More complex interface for basic tasks
• Not available for macOS

Best For

Privacy-conscious users who want advanced encryption options, or Linux users who need a full-featured GUI archive tool.

NanaZip: Modern 7-Zip for Windows 11

Platform: Windows 10 (22H2+), Windows 11 License: Free and open source (MIT) Download: Microsoft Store or GitHub

NanaZip is a fork of 7-Zip redesigned for modern Windows. It's built as a UWP app with Fluent Design elements, ARM64 support, and Windows 11 context menu integration. If you want 7-Zip's power with a contemporary interface, this is it.

Key Features

• All 7-Zip features and formats
• Modern Windows 11 UI with dark mode
• Native ARM64 support for Surface devices
• Context menu integration with new Windows 11 design
• HASH checksum algorithms (SHA-256, SHA-512, etc.)
• Available through Microsoft Store (automatic updates)

Pros

• Looks and feels like a native Windows 11 app
• Same compression performance as 7-Zip
• Actively developed with frequent updates
• ARM64 support for newer hardware
• Sandboxed installation via Microsoft Store

Cons

• Windows 10/11 only (requires recent versions)
• Slightly smaller format support than 7-Zip
• Newer project with smaller community

Best For

Windows 11 users who want a modern archive tool that matches the system design. For a detailed comparison, check our NanaZip vs PeaZip guide.

The Unarchiver: Simple and Free for Mac

Platform: macOS License: Free Download: Mac App Store

The Unarchiver is the Mac community's favorite archive extraction tool. It doesn't compress files, but it extracts virtually every archive format you throw at it. The app automatically replaces macOS's built-in Archive Utility and handles formats that Mac can't open natively.

Key Features

• Supports over 40 archive formats
• Automatic file association (becomes default app)
• Detects text file encodings automatically
• Extract archives with a double-click
• No ads or premium features
• Simple, minimal interface

Pros

• Completely free with no limitations
• Handles obscure formats like RAR, 7Z, LHA, StuffIt
• Zero configuration needed
• Lightweight and fast
• Regular updates for format compatibility

Cons

• Extraction only (cannot create archives)
• No compression level controls
• No encryption features
• Basic interface with few options

Best For

Mac users who primarily need to extract archives sent by Windows users. Pair it with macOS's built-in compression for a complete solution.

Keka: Mac's Native Compression Tool (Paid)

Platform: macOS License: Paid ($5.99 App Store, free from website) Download: Mac App Store or keka.io

Keka is a proper compression tool for Mac that creates archives in multiple formats. It looks and feels native to macOS with support for drag-and-drop, password protection, and split archives. You can download it free from the website or pay $5.99 on the App Store to support development.

Key Features

• Create 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, DMG, and ISO archives
• Extract RAR, 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, and more
• AES-256 encryption for 7Z and ZIP
• Split large archives into multiple volumes
• Compression level presets (fast, normal, high)
• macOS Services integration
• Drag-and-drop interface

Pros

• Native Mac design with dark mode
• Good compression ratios with 7Z format
• Password protection built-in
• Free version available from website
• Regular updates for macOS compatibility

Cons

• Cannot create RAR archives
• Fewer advanced features than Windows tools
• Free version requires downloading outside App Store

Best For

Mac users who need to create compressed archives regularly. The $5.99 App Store version is worth it for automatic updates.

Bandizip: Cross-Platform with Free and Paid Tiers

Platform: Windows, macOS License: Free (with ads) or $35 (Professional) Download: https://www.bandisoft.com/bandizip/

Bandizip is a Korean-developed tool available for both Windows and Mac. The free version handles most tasks but includes ads and limitations. The Professional version ($35) removes ads and adds advanced features like archive repair and password recovery.

Key Features

• Supports 30+ archive formats
• Fast compression with multi-core CPU support
• Automatic extraction (preview and extract)
• Image preview inside archives
• Code page selection for international filenames
• Windows Explorer integration

Pros

• Works on both Windows and Mac
• Fast compression speed
• Can preview files without extracting
• Clean, modern interface
• Free version available

Cons

• Free version contains ads
• Professional license is expensive ($35)
• Mac version has fewer features than Windows
• Some features locked behind paywall

Best For

Users who work across Windows and Mac and want one tool for both platforms. The free version works well for basic needs.

Comparison Table: Best ZIP Programs

Program	Platform	License	Create ZIP	Create 7Z	Create RAR	Extract RAR	Encryption	Best For
7-Zip	Windows	Free	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	AES-256	Best overall Windows tool
WinRAR	Windows	$29	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	AES-256	RAR format support
PeaZip	Windows, Linux	Free	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Multiple	Advanced encryption
NanaZip	Windows 10/11	Free	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	AES-256	Modern Windows 11 UI
The Unarchiver	macOS	Free	No	No	No	Yes	N/A	Mac extraction only
Keka	macOS	$6 (Free alt)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	AES-256	Mac compression
Bandizip	Windows, macOS	Free/Paid	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	AES-256	Cross-platform use

Special Mention: Compresto for Media Files

While the programs above handle general file compression, media files (videos, images, PDFs) need specialized tools. Compresto for Mac focuses on media compression with hardware acceleration, format conversion, and batch processing. It's designed specifically for compressing video files, images, and PDFs without quality loss.

If you're working with multimedia content, check out our guide on top 10 file compression software for more options.

ZIP vs 7Z: Which Format Should You Use?

Most of these programs create both ZIP and 7Z archives. So which should you choose?

Use ZIP when:

• Sending files to people without specialized software
• Maximum compatibility is important
• Speed matters more than size
• You need macOS/Linux native support

Use 7Z when:

• File size matters more than compatibility
• Recipients likely have 7-Zip or equivalent installed
• You're archiving large collections of documents or media
• You need stronger encryption options

For a deeper comparison, read our 7-Zip vs ZIP format analysis.

Command-Line Options

All these programs except The Unarchiver offer command-line versions for automation. If you need to compress files in scripts or batch processes:

• 7-Zip: Use 7z.exe with PowerShell or Command Prompt
• PeaZip: Includes command-line interface (peazip.exe)
• WinRAR: Use rar.exe and unrar.exe commands
• Keka: Use Automator on Mac for batch operations

Command-line compression is essential for automated backups, build systems, and server deployments.

How to Choose the Best ZIP Program

Your ideal choice depends on your needs:

For most Windows users: 7-Zip is the answer. It's free, fast, and handles everything. Install it and forget about archive problems.

For Windows 11 users who care about UI: NanaZip gives you 7-Zip's power with modern design.

For Mac users who extract archives: The Unarchiver is all you need. It's free and handles every format.

For Mac users who create archives: Keka provides native compression with good format support.

For cross-platform consistency: PeaZip or Bandizip work on multiple operating systems.

For RAR creation: WinRAR is the official tool, though you can extract RAR files with free alternatives.

For maximum security: PeaZip offers the most encryption options and security features.

Conclusion

The built-in ZIP tools on Windows and macOS are adequate for basic tasks, but dedicated programs offer better compression, more formats, and essential features like encryption. 7-Zip remains the best free option for Windows, while Mac users should pair The Unarchiver with Keka for complete coverage.

If you're dealing with media files specifically, remember that general-purpose compression tools won't reduce video or image sizes significantly since these formats are already compressed. For those tasks, specialized tools like Compresto use format conversion and quality adjustment to achieve real file size reduction.

Download one of these programs today, and you'll wonder how you ever managed with the built-in tools.